Access to sexual and reproductive health services: perceptions and experiences of Zimbabwean migrant women in Kayamandi (Stellenbosch, South Africa)

Date
2023-03
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This qualitative study explores Zimbabwean migrant women’s experiences when accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services at the Kayamandi clinic. The national migrancy environment in South Africa is characterized by xenophobic attitudes that cascade down to communities like Kayamandi and is evident at Kayamandi clinic as Zimbabwean migrant women experience subtle xenophobic attitudes from health personnel. Through intersectionality, this study examines how migration status or nationality, gender, location, and language intersect and shape the experiences of Zimbabwean migrant women when accessing SRH services at the Kayamandi clinic. Compromising access to SRH services and indirectly increasing their body’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, revealing how the Zimbabwean woman’s body is a site where exclusion and marginalization are evident. Communication inequality at the Kayamandi clinic affects Zimbabwean migrant women’s access to comprehensive sexuality and reproductive health education; additionally, language is one of the major social determinants of accessing SRH service. Communication inequality and social determinants of SRH services compromise the achievement of Zimbabwean women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). To address their challenges, Zimbabwean migrant women are devising strategies that include seeking SRH services at private institutions and at the Cleotesville clinic. However, even though Zimbabwean migrant women devise strategies to access SRH services, the strategies are not sustainable because SRH services need to be conveniently accessible at the Kayamandi clinic for all. There is a need for the inclusion, engagement, and active participation of Zimbabwean migrant women at the Kayamandi clinic, allowing them to be involved in all SRHR initiatives implemented at the clinic. Drawing on qualitative research methods that include in-depth telephone interviews and the analysis of grey literature, this study only included six Zimbabwean migrant women. The research participants were specifically identified and recruited by utilizing purpose sampling and snowball sampling. The data obtained was thematically analyzed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie ondersoek Zimbabwiese trekvroue se ervarings wanneer hulle toegang tot seksuele en reproduktiewe gesondheid (SRH) dienste by die Kayamandi-kliniek verkry. Die nasionale migrasie-omgewing in Suid-Afrika word gekenmerk deur xenofobiese houdings wat afvloei na gemeenskappe soos Kayamandi en is duidelik by die Kayamandi-kliniek aangesien Zimbabwiese migrerende vroue subtiele xenofobiese houdings van gesondheidspersoneel ervaar. Deur interseksionaliteit ondersoek hierdie studie hoe migrasiestatus of -nasionaliteit, geslag, ligging en taal die ervarings van Zimbabwiese migrerende vroue sny en vorm wanneer hulle toegang tot SRH-dienste by die Kayamandi-kliniek verkry. Om toegang tot SRH-dienste te benadeel en indirek hul liggaam se kwesbaarheid vir MIV/VIGS en seksueel oordraagbare infeksies te verhoog, wat onthul hoe die Zimbabwiese vrou se liggaam 'n terrein is waar uitsluiting en marginalisering sigbaar is. Kommunikasie-ongelykheid by die Kayamandi-kliniek beïnvloed Zimbabwiese trekvroue se toegang tot omvattende seksualiteit en reproduktiewe gesondheidsopvoeding; addisioneel is taal een van die belangrikste sosiale determinante van toegang tot SRH-diens. Kommunikasie-ongelykheid en sosiale determinante van SRH-dienste kompromitteer die bereiking van Zimbabwiese vroue se seksuele en reproduktiewe gesondheid en regte (SRHR). Om die uitdagings wat hulle in die gesig staar aan te spreek, is Zimbabwiese migrantevroue besig om strategieë uit te werk wat insluit om SRH-dienste by private instellings en by die Cloetesville-kliniek te soek. Alhoewel Zimbabwiese migrerende vroue strategieë bedink om toegang tot SRH-dienste te verkry, is die strategieë egter nie volhoubaar nie, want SRH-dienste moet gerieflik vir almal by die Kayamandi-kliniek toeganklik wees. Daar is 'n behoefte aan die insluiting, betrokkenheid en aktiewe deelname van Zimbabwiese migrerende vroue by die Kayamandi-kliniek, wat hulle toelaat om betrokke te wees by alle SRHR-inisiatiewe wat by die kliniek geïmplementeer word. Met behulp van kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes wat in-diepte telefoononderhoude en die ontleding van grys literatuur insluit, het hierdie studie slegs ses Zimbabwiese migrantevroue ingesluit. Die navorsingsdeelnemers is spesifiek geïdentifiseer en gewerf deur doelsteekproefneming en sneeubalsteekproefneming te gebruik. Die data wat verkry is, is tematies ontleed.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.
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